What’s the difference between a goal and a wish? Wishes are things you’d like to have or like to do at some point, but you haven’t yet committed to taking action toward acquiring or experiencing them. They would be nice to have or something you’d like to do in the future.
For instance, wishes can be intentions like to “be happy” or “make a lot of money” or “have a good family life” – things that are intentionally vague and can mean different things depending on circumstances. Wishes can also be things you want or desire – for instance, maybe you would like a second vacation home or a sleek new red convertible. Maybe you’ve always wanted to travel to Japan or learn to scuba dive or write your great American novel.
Goals, on the other hand, quantify these wishes into something attainable:
- What does “being happy” really mean for you? For many people, happiness is related to how good you feel inside. When you feel calm, prosperous, and confident you can overcome whatever life throws at you. For others, happiness means having things – financial security, a good relationship with your family and friends, a nice house or car. Maybe it means having a purpose to your life that you are passionate about.
- What is “a lot of money” to you? If you have yet to make much money in your business, $2500 per month might seem like a lot to you. For others, they want to make five or six figures per month.
- What is a “good family life” to you? Maybe a good family life means being able to provide financial security of at least $6000 per month to your loved ones so your spouse doesn’t have to work and you don’t have to worry about the kids’ college fund. Maybe it means leaving work by 3 p.m. to spend time at your kid’s soccer game or school band concert. Maybe it means working only when the kids are at school and your spouse is working so you have maximum time to spend with them during evenings and weekends.
- What kind of red convertible do you want? Maybe you know you want a 2009 Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic, which will probably run you around $125K, and you’ve got most of that money saved and your name is on the waiting list of potential purchasers. Or maybe you prefer a Mercedes Cabriolet CLK350, which will run you around $56K.
- What does your Japanese trip look like? Maybe you’ve planned out the six destinations you’d like to visit within Tokyo, you’ve taken three months of conversational Japanese, you’re about to book your flight for next September and you’ve been talking online with a few people who live in Tokyo about the best hotels, restaurants, and local attractions.
Goals are wishes that are attainable, quantifiable and that you’ve committed to actually achieving. You may wish you had that Maserati, and would be very happy if you won it, but if it isn’t something you are actively taking steps to purchase, it’s not a goal.
The best types of goals to set are SMART goals. Focus on the what, why and how, and then take steps to achieve your goals.
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